Apparatus for applying solutions and treatment to the hair and scalp



W. D. NOLAN APPARATUS FOR APPLYING SOLUTIONS AND TREATMENT TO THE HAIR AND SCALP Oct. 7, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 2, 1955 INVENTOR. MY/iam D. Nolan W ew HAS .1465 T 1958 w. D. NOLAN 2,854,970

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING SOLUTIONS AND TREATMENT TO THE HAIR AND SCALP Filed May 2, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. William D. Nolan Hi5 Qgenl United States Patent APPARATUS FOR APPLYING SOLUTIONS AND TREATMENT TO THE HAIR AND SCALP William D. Nolan, Wichita Fails, Tex. Application May 2, 1955, Serial No. 505,270

Claims. Cl. 128-65) This invention relates to improvements in a combination shampoo and massaging device, hair dryer, permanent wave solution and neutralizing applying device, and a device for applying treatment to the scalp, and more particularly to a device of this character to be used in beauty salons, barber shops, and the like, where the patron may obtain any or all of the specialized hair and/ or scalp treatments at his or her selection, and while in a reclining or supine position.

At the present time various appliances and machines, together with the manual attention of the operator are necessary in order to obtain the various services offered by beauty salons and tonsorial parlors. However, the present device is so constructed that it can perform the major operations in these fields deftly and speedily, with a minimum of effort on the part of the operator, and also with a minimum of inconvenience and annoyance to the recipient.

An object of this invention is to provide a single device which will perform multiple treatments, and solution applying operations to the hair and scalp.

Another object of the invention is to provide a scalp and hair treating and solution applying device wherein the recipient may recline in any easy chair or lie in supine position on a table while receiving the treatment.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a massaging device for the scalp which will supply shampoo or scalp treatment solution to the hair and scalp, while at the same time massaging the scalp.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a device for applying solutions to the hair and scalp for treatment thereof, and/or permanent wave solutions, oil, and the like at the selection of the patron.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a circulation system for a solution applying device, Whereby the solutions may be circulated over a specified period of time and then discharged, under pump pressure,'from the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device whereby various operations, such as shampooing and dry ing, may be performed on the hair and/ or scalp, without the patron moving from one device to another.

With these objects in mind, and others which will become manifest as the description proceeds, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate like parts in the several views thereof, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device taken from the front, a side and above, showing the housing in closed position;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view showing the housing in closed position;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view showing the side of the device opposite that shown in Fig. l, and showing the cover in raised position;

Fig. 4 is a medial, vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 44 of Fig. 5, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 66 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

With more detailed reference to the drawing,- the numeral 1 designates generally a housing, which housing may be formed of plastic, fibre glass, metal, or the like, and comprises a reservoir portion 2 and a cover portion 4. The cover portion 4 is hinged to the reservoir portion by means of hinges 6, which enable the cover to be raised to allow the patron to position the head within the housing.

Both the cover 4 and the reservoir portion 2 have complementary openings 8 and 10 formed therein in such manner that the entire opening formed, when the cover is closed, is of the general contour to encompass the face of the patron. Gasket material 12 surrounds both openings 8 and 10, to provide a seal about the face so as to prevent solutions, which are being applied to the head and hair of the patron, escaping onto the face, during the treatment. A stripping 14 is secured to the cover member 4 at the sides and partially around the front and overlaps the reservoir portion 2, so as to retain the liquid solutions within the housing 1.

An adjustable head rest, generally designated at 16, is provided within the reservoir portion 2, of the housing, which head rest is supported on bifurcated member 18 by means of pivot members 20,positi0ned on each side thereof, and by a screw threaded support member 22 positioned positioned between the head rest and the housing at the lower portion of the head rest. The screw threaded support member 22 has a crank 24 thereon to enable the raising and lowering of the bifurcated member 18 and the head rest 16 so as to adjust the head with respect to the openings 8 and 10.

The lower part of the reservoir portion 2 of the housing is threaded to receive a threaded portion of the screw 22. A packing 26 is fitted within a recess in the lower part of the reservoir 2 and surrounds the screw 22 so as to prevent the leaking of solution thereby.

An electric motor 28 is mounted on an upright stem 39 above the normal solution level 32 and has a pump 34 interconnected with the motor by means of a shaft 36. The pump 34 is preferably of the centrifugal type which will draw solution in through openings 38 that are formed in the hollow stem 30 and discharge the solutions into a manifold 46) for distribution thereof up through hose 42 to the conduits 44 in the head rest 16. The conduits 44 have apertures 46 formed therein which register with apertures formed in the head rest 16, which apertures are designated at 48. The inner portion of the head rest 16 has projections 50 at spaced intervals throughout the inner surface thereof, which projections are made of plastic, rubber or the like, to give a massaging effect on the scalp when the head rest is moved, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

Drain apertures 52 are formed through the head rest for discharge of fluid therethrough.

The head rest 16 is preferably made of plastic, semihard rubber, or the like, which is of such degree of rigidity that it will retain its shape under normal conditions; however, when pressure is applied, the material will yield and conform to the head. A section 54 is provided between the upper and lower portions of the head rest 16, which will allow for stretching and contracting, so the device will fit snugly about the head when the head is in adjusted position.

The head rest is supported on resilient members 56,

and 53 at the top and bottom and at each of the sides respectively, which support members are sufficiently flexible to permit free cradling of the head rest 16, and

which supports are provided with an apertured lug 60 at the rear side thereof, which lug receives a pin 62 therethrough. A pitman 64 is pivotally connected at one end thereof to the pin 62. The opposite end of the pitman 64 is connected, by means of a crank-pin 66 to a crank '68, which crank is mounted on a gear transmission box 70. The gear transmission box 79 is interconnected with the motor 28 in the conventional manner, by means ofa clutch and a clutch shift lever 72 which -is provided to enable the engagement and disengagement of the gearing to drive crank 68.

Fluid inlet lines 74 and 76 are provided for admitting fluids, such as water and heated air, into manifold 40, for rinsing and drying the hair after shampooing. After the'hair is rinsed, heated air may then be directed into the manifold 40 and discharged up through tube 42 and through openings 46 and 48 to dry the hair. These fluids are mentioned 'for purposes of illustration, and the applicant does not wish to be confined to any particular fluid or liquid, as it is readily apparent the device can be used for any fluid or solution that might be applied to the hair and scalp during washing, drying, giving a permanent wave, or for applying treatment to the head and hair.

Check valves 78 and 80, respectively, are provided in each of the lines 74 and '76, to prevent loss of solution from the manifold, when the pump 34 is being used. A check valve 82 is provided within the passage between the pump 34 and the manifold 40, to prevent the escape of fluid from pipes 74 and 76 out through pump 34, when fluid is being introduced into the manifold through these lines.

A discharge pipe 84 leads from the manifold 40 through a valve 86, so that liquid Within the reservoir 2 may be discharged out through a valve 86, hose 88 to a container or the like, as desired.

The unit comprising the motor 28, pump 34, and gear transmission 7 is held in secure relation by means of a bracket 90 and screw threaded nuts a2. However, by removing the screw from the bracket 91 and nuts 92, the unit, in its entirety, may be readily removed.

Operation With the patron lying in supine position with the face up, or reclining on a couch-type chair, and with the cover 4 of the housing raised, as shown in Fig. 3, the patron positions the head within the head rest 16, so that the scalp will be substantially covered by the head rest. The head rest is then raised or lowered by means of adjustment crank 24, until the gasket 12 surrounds the patrons face to prevent the escape of fluids onto and about the face. The gasket material is sufficiently pliable to conform to the contours of the face and to form a sealing relation therewith, with the upper portion of the gasket in sealing relation with the forehead. With the cover closed, and with the gasket material in sealing relation with the face of the patron, the device is ready for operation.

The inner surface of the head rest 16 is of relatively soft, rubber-like material, which has projections 50 which form massage tips or fingers. If the hair and scalp of the patron is to be washed, a shampoo solution is placed in the reservoir portion 2 of the housing, until the liquid level covers the pump 34 sufficiently for the pump to operate properly, and with valve 86 closed, the centrifugal pump 34, driven by shaft 36, will suck the solution, such as a shampoo solution, through the inlet holes 38 and discharge the solution through check valve 82 into manifold 40, with the pressure causing check valves 78 and 80 to close, which will cause the solution to be directed upward through flexible hose into conduit 44, whereupon the solution is discharged out through orifices 46 and 48 to all points of the scalp simultaneously, and with the motor 28 running, which drives pump 34, which motor also drives crank 68 through a transmission gearing 70. The transmission gearing 70 preferably has a clutch therein, which clutch is selectively engaged and disengaged by a clutch lever 72, thereby enabling the crank 68 to be started or stopped independently of the action of the motor 28. The crank 68 has a crank-pin 66 to which pitman 64 is connected. The pitman 64 is positioned between apertured lugs 68 so that a hole in the pitman 64 will register with the apertures formed within the respective lugs 60, whereupon, a pin is passed through the apertured lugs and the pitman 64 so as to connect the head rest 16 in geared relation to motor 28. The head rest 16 is pivoted to bifurcated member 18 by pivot pins 20 so as to enable the crank 68 to impart a rocking motion to the head rest so the projections 50 will gently massage the scalp while the shampoo solution, or the like is being applied. The solution that is discharged through openings 46 and 48 passes out through drain openings 52 and is returned to the sump or. reservoir 2.

The crank 68 is preferably arranged to impart a sharp rocking motion to the head rest 16, so as to give a stimulating action to the multiplicity of fingers or projections 50 which are in contact relation with the scalp. When the shampooing operation is complete, the solution may be discharged from the sump by opening valve 86, whereupon the fluid within the sump will pass out through holes 88 into a drain or into a suitable receptacle.

After the shampoo solution is discharged, water may be introduced through one of the lines, such as 74, past check valve 78 into manifold 40, and with the valve 86 closed and check valves 8t; and 82 closed, water may be directed through hose 42 to discharge through the outlet openings 46-48 to drain back through holes 52 into the sump or reservoir portion 2. The head rest 16 may be oscillated about pivots 20 in the same manner described for the shampooing process, if so desired With the rinsing completed, the valve '86 may be opened and the water discharged in the manner set out for the discharge of the shampoo solution, whereupon heated air is directed into the manifold 40 through pipe 76, whereupon valves 78 and 82 will close, and with valve 86 closed, the heated air will be directed upward through flexible hose 42 into conduits 44 to discharge out through holes 48 and 52 in head rest 16 and holes 116 in the top of the cover portion 4 of the housing. These holes 116 may have hose connected thereto and leading therefrom to discharge the heated air to a remote point, or it may be recirculated, as desired. Or, to expedite the drying of the hair and the discharge of the vapor laden air, the suction may be connected to these hose. In this manner only the scalp and hair are affected by the heated air, thus the beauty or barber shop may be maintained at a normal comfortable temperature, which is difiicult with the drying methods now in use.

With the washing and drying completed, the patron may remain in the same reclining position, with the head still positioned on the head rest, as hereinbe'fore described, an oil treatment, or other treatment as desired, may be performed on the hair and scalp, simply by pulling out chute door 3 and pouring the proper solution into reservoir 2, without the patron being disturbed. The solution thus poured into the reservoir 2 may be circulated by use of the pump 34 in the manner set out for the shampoo and massaging operations. When the treatment is completed, the solution is discharged through hose 88 by opening valve 86 in the manner set out above.

When the patron is to be given a permanent wave, the hair is prepared on the proper rollers or pin curlers, to give the desired styling design to the hair, by an operator, then the patron assumes the position as described for the shampoo operation, with the head adjusted in the head rest and with the cover of the housing closed, the clutch will be disengaged which will permit the motor 28 to run the pump 34 to discharge the permanent wave solution may then be introduced through chute 3 into A the reservoir 2 to be circulated in the manner set out above, and then discharged into the sump and out through valve $6 and hose 88 by means of pump 34. Water may again be applied as described hereinbefore, if desired.

When the last rinsing water has been discharged, the heated air may again be directed through pipe 76 to perform the drying action on the hair, as set out above. It is to be pointed out that a complete permanent wave operation, including the application of neutralizer, any desired number of water rinses and drying the hair may be done, without the patron having to move. This makes possible the performance of the complete operation with a minimum of discomfort to the patron, in a minimum length of time and with a minimum of equipment, and with a minimum of effort on the part of the operator.

It is to be pointed out that the head rest 16 is of semiresilient material, with a portion 54 of greater resiliency positioned between the upper and lower portions thereof,

so that the head rest will automatically conform to the contours of the head when the weight of the head is against the head rest.

It is further to be pointed out that the device may be readily cleansed and sterilized in a minimum of time, thereby enabling it to be in service the maximum amount of time. It is to be pointed out, however, that multiple operations may be performed on the same patron, without interruption due to the patron having to move or to cleaning the device.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in some detail for one embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that changes may be made in the minor details of construction and adaptations made to various installations, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus clearly shown and described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for applying solutions and treatment to the hair and scalp, comprising a housing having a.

liquid retaining reservoir in the lower portion thereof, a cover portion adapted to complementarily fit on said reservoir portion, said reservoir portion and said cover portion having complementary openings formed therein, a support member mounted in said housing, a head rest mounted on said support member, .apertured conduit means within said head rest, which apertures are positioned to discharge fluid onto the inner contours of said head rest, and at least one liquid supply conduit means connected with said head rest conduit for supplying a liquid thereto.

2. An apparatus for applying solutions and treatment to the hair and scalp, comprising a housing having a liquid retaining reservoir in the lower portion thereof, a cover portion adapted to complementarily fit on said reservoir portion, said reservoir portion and said cover portion having complementary openings formed therein, a support member mounted in said housing, a head rest being pivotally mounted thereon for rocking motion,

pitman means connected to said head rest for imparting rocking motion thereto, apertured conduit means within said head rest, which apertures are positioned to discharge a liquid into the inner contour of said head rest, and at least one liquid supply conduit means connected with said head rest conduit for supplying a liquid thereto.

3. The device as set forth in claim 2, wherein; said head rest has raised projections at spaced points on the inner surface thereof for imparting massaging action to the scalp.

4. The device as set forth in claim 2, wherein drain holes are formed through said head rest intermediate said apertured conduit.

5. The device as set forth in claim 2, wherein; an electric motor is positioned within said housing and connected through a gearing and crank mechanism to said pitman to oscillate said pivoted head rest.

6. The device as set forth in claim 2, wherein; said head rest is mounted on a bifurcated support member so said head rest will pivot about a horizontal axis.

7. The device as set forth in claim 1; wherein said head rest is formed ofslightly flexible material with a resilient section intermediate the upper and lower portions thereof so as to urge said head rest into conformation with the head therein.

8. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein, said apertured conduit is so arranged as to discharge a liquid over the entire scalp area.

9. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein gasket sealing means is positioned on said reservoir portion and said cover portion around said complementary openings so as to form a sealing relation with the face and head'of the recipient whose head is positioned within said housing.

10. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein; said head rest is adjustably mounted with respect to said reservoir portion of said housing, and means for holding said head rest in a selected adjusted position.

11. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein a solution chute is provided in a side of said reservoir housing for the introduction of solution thereinto.

12. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein a further supply conduit means is provided for supplying heated air and selected solutions to said apertured conduit.

13. An apparatus for applying solutions and treatment to the hair and scalp comprising, a housing having a liquid retaining reservoir in the lower portion thereof and having a cover portion fitted thereon, said reservoir portion and said cover portion having complementary openings formed therein, a head rest adjustably secured within said housing, a solution inlet in said housing, a solution outlet in said housing, and pump and power means for circulating said solutions within said housing.

14. The device as set forth in claim 13, wherein said head rest has means interconnected therewith and with said power means for selectively oscillating said head rest while said pump is being driven by said power means.

15. The device as defined in claim 2, wherein said cover portion of said housing has ventilation openings formed therein in the upper portion thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,775,704 Suter Sept. 16, 1930 2,420,251 Foriyes May 6, 1947 2,566,600 Colon Sept. 4, 1951 

